Series3 V8

[Bundalene]

Hi I am asking a question on behalf of a Land Rover Tragic whose computer skills are not quite up there. He has bought a Series3 with 80,000kms on the clock. (I assume it is a Series3 Stage 1) He has a dozen other Land Rovers from Series1's to a TD5 Defender

He has been told that the V8 in the Series3 has been de-tuned from Factory and as a result lacks power and has lousy fuel economy

He mentioned several items:

Baffles in the carby
Thick or double head gaskets
Mechanical governor in dizzy
Engine timing needs advancing from factory setting.

Has anyone come across any of the above or have a comment. I am not familiar with the V8 in this model.

Thanks, Erich

[djam1]

Bundalene

Baffles in the carby They can be easily removed "few havent been"
Thick or double head gaskets They usually had 8.13:1 engines havent heard about the head gasket issue but they were low compression and not the best 3.5 litre motor remember they are all 30 years old now
Mechanical governor in dizzy I have never heard of this the main reason they were detuned was because of the drum brakes sounds sus to me
Engine timing needs advancing from factory setting. absolutely start again with the tuning you need to do cam and lifters then set the timing to 10-12 degrees before TDC (remember they are 30 years old)
Timing depends upon the fuel you are running.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

<snip>...
Mechanical governor in dizzy
Engine timing needs advancing from factory setting.

Has anyone come across any of the above or have a comment. I am not familiar with the V8 in this model.

Thanks, ErichThe mechanical governor in the dizzy was in the 101 FCs with essentially the same engine.
The factory specs would be on leaded fuel and hence the need to change for unleaded.

Why don't you suggest he fits a 3.9's from one of the Discos you're always dismantling? :) :) After that it'll need LPG too.

Diana

[JDNSW]

The engines were, as described, fitted with throttle restrictors below the carburetters to reduce maximum power because of the drum brakes, but probably also to keep fuel consumption within reason and to extend engine life. As mentioned, there would be very few which have not had it removed.

Low compression was used to ensure satisfactory operation on low grade fuel. Ignition timing will depend on the fuel used, but should be set for the fuel. At least some of these engines have a centrifuggal cutoff in the distributor, fitted to prevent engine damage due to overrevving. This was very common on engines from that period.

Note that already being fitted with steel valve seats, it is not generally considered necessary to modify these engines for unleaded petrol.

John

[Bundalene]

The engines were, as described, fitted with throttle restrictors below the carburetters to reduce maximum power because of the drum brakes, but probably also to keep fuel consumption within reason and to extend engine life. As mentioned, there would be very few which have not had it removed.

Low compression was used to ensure satisfactory operation on low grade fuel. Ignition timing will depend on the fuel used, but should be set for the fuel. At least some of these engines have a centrifuggal cutoff in the distributor, fitted to prevent engine damage due to overrevving. This was very common on engines from that period.

Note that already being fitted with steel valve seats, it is not generally considered necessary to modify these engines for unleaded petrol.

John

Thanks John, apparantly this vehicle is as new, the longest km's travelled was a regular trip from the Wallget area to Tamworth for service. The new owner doesn't want to alter too much, keep whatever parts he removes, and keep the car in as original condition as possible. However, he would like get a bit of economy while he uses it.

Erich

[djam1]

Erich
If you change the high range transfer gears to .996 or 1.13 you will get better fuel consumption than the Stage 1 1.336 gears.
Their fuel consumption isn't too bad if driven sensibly

[JDNSW]

.......... However, he would like get a bit of economy while he uses it.

Erich

For some reason the Rover V8 has never been very economical for the power it gives. Add to this low compression, and this is probably the worst example of any of them. I do not see how you can get even reasonable fuel economy without major modifications. Best bet is probably gas conversion - this can always be removed.

John

[101RRS]

Erich
If you change the high range transfer gears to .996 or 1.13 you will get better fuel consumption than the Stage 1 1.336 gears.
Their fuel consumption isn't too bad if driven sensibly

.996 gears are becoming rare as hen's teeth and just as expensive - contrary to popular opinion not all RR LT95's had .996 ratios - only the last few years.

Overdrives do come up from time to time and seem to last better than the ones fitted to 4 and 6 cylinder series landies.

Garry